Pump



July 20, 1965 B. K. GHANDHl 3,195,471

PUMP

Filed Dec. 11, 1963 INVENTOR. '04 we Jl/(Zdf/, 61/44/040 lrrmwzrr.

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United States Patent 3,195,471 PUMP Burzoe K. Ghandhi, Milwaukee, Wis, assignor to Gutboard Marine Corporation, Waukegan, lllL, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 329,780 7 (Ilaims. (Cl. 103-244) The invention relates generally to pneumatically operated pumping arrangements and particularly to arrangements for pumping and metering oil in connection with operation of an engine having a closed crankcase.

The invention provides a pumping arrangement which includes a member displaceabie for reoccurring travel over a fixed path and relative to an element with which the member is in engagement. Included in the member is a receptacle or recess for receiving quantities of liquid being pumped, which receptacle communicates sequentially with a source of liquid under pressure and an outlet or discharge port. Also included in the member is a conduit or passageway which communicates with the cavity and selectively with a bleed hole or vent when the cavity is in communication with the source of pressure liquid, thereby permitting escape of gas from the cavity, and with a source of pressure gas when the cavity is 'in communication with the discharge or outlet port, whereby discharge of the liquid from the receptacle to the discharge port is provided. The conduit is proportioned in cooperation with the viscosity of the liquid being pumped so that its cross sectional configuration, together with its length, serve to prevent liquid flow through the conduit to the bleed hole or vent without materially interfering with gaseous flow through the conduit or passage. The pressure gas and liquid being pumped should not be substantially miscible with respect to each other. In this regard, air is only slightly soluble in oil.

The invention also provides for the use of a pumping arrangement, such as described above, in connection with a reciprocating piston engine having a closed crankcase, such as is provided in certain two-stroke internal combustion engines wherein fuel is injected directly into the cylinder and combustion air is pumped through the crankcase to the cylinder. In such a combination, the crankcase is connected through a check valve to a closed chamber which serves as a source for a liquid to be pumped, such as oil, which is pressurized as a result of piston operation to provide a gas source and to pressurize the oil, and which is connected through respective pressure gas and oil passages to the pressure gas inlet port and the oil inlet port of the pump. In addition, the traveling pump member can be driven by the engine. Accordingly, engine piston movement serves to drive the member and to supply the member with both pressurized oil and air.

ther objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings in which FIG 1 is a partially diagrammatic side elevational view, partially broken away and in section, of an engine and an associated pumping arrangement incorporating various features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially diagrammatic top plan view, partially broken away and in section, of the engine and associated pumping arrangement shown in FIG. 1; and

PEG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2.

The engine 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes an associated metering pump 13 which is driven by the engine 11 and can be employed for lubricating the engine or another de- The pump 13 comprises a housing or element 15 which includes a bore 17 and movably carries within the bore 17 a valve member 19. Although the valve member 19 can be carried for linear or angular reciprocation, the member is rotatably carried in the housing 15.

Provided in the outer surface of the valve member 19 is a receptacle or cavity 21 which can have various configurations. In the disclosed construction, the cavity 21 is of radially extending, cylindrical shape. Also provided in the valve member or rotor 19 is a conduit or passage 23 of relatively small cross sectional area, which conduit communicates at one end with said cavity 21 and, at its other end, terminates at the outer surface of the valve member 19. The cross sectional area of the conduit is suflicicntly small so that, together with the length of the conduit, liquid flow through the length of the conduit is precluded while gas flow through the conduit is relatively unhindered.

The housing 15 is provided with an inlet line or port 25 for a liquid, such as lubricating oil, which line communicates with a source of pressure oil (still to be described) and which terminates at the bore 17 in position for cornmunication with the cavity 21 in response to rotation of the valve member 19. Also included in the housing 1.5 is an oil discharge line or port 27 which terminates in the bore 17 in spaced angular relation to the oil inlet port 25 and in position for communication with the cavity 21 in response to rotation of the valve member 19. The oil discharge line is adapted for communication with any part of a device to which it is desired to supply oil.

Also provided in the housing 15 is an inlet line or port 29 for a pressurized gas, such as air, which line communicates with a source of pressure air still to be described and which is positioned for communication with the conduit end terminating at the outer surface of the valve member 19 when the cavity 21 is in communication with the oil discharge port 27. When the conduit 23 and the gas pressure port 29 are in communication, the pressure air acts through th conduit 23 to discharge the oil from the cavity 21 into the discharge line 27.

In addition, the housing is also provided with a vent or bleed line or port 31 which is open tothe atmosphere and which communicates with the conduit end when the cavity 21 is in communication with the pressurized oil inlet port 25. Consequently, air in the cavity 21 is bled through the conduit 23 and through the vent line 31 to the atmosphere permitting filling of the cavity 21 with oil. Thus, the disclosed arrangement will pump metered amounts of oil from the oil inlet line 25 to the oil discharge line 27 in response to rotation of the valve member 19.

Any source of pressurized gas and liquid can be employed in connection with the pump 13. However, it is preferable to supply the pump 13 with oil and air under pressure by means of the associated engine 11 which includes a reciprocating piston 33 and a crankcase 35. The crankcase is generally closed except for a conventional check or reed valve 37 which admits air into the crankcase during conditions therein of relatively loW pressure when the piston 33 is advancing toward top dead center and which prevents escape of air from the crankcase during conditions of relatively high pressure when the piston 33 is moving toward bottom dead center. The crankcase 35 also communicates through a conduit or line 39 with a closed chamber 41 which is mounted on the engine 11 or on the engine supporting means, and which serves both as a source of pressurized air and oil.

More specifically, the line 39 communicates with the top of the closed chamber 41 and includes a check valve 43 which permits flow from the crankcase 35 to the chamber 41 while preventing return flow to the crankcase 35. Also included at the top of the closed chamber 41 is a capped opening 45 through which oil can be introduced into the chamber 41. In addition, a line 47 communicates through the top of the chamber s 7 a 41 with the air pressure inlet the bottom thereof, is an oil line 49 Connected to the metering pump oil inlet port 25. w i

Desirably, the valve member 19 is rotated by the engine 11. Thus, the engine crankshaft 51 and valve member 19 have mounted thereon respective pulleys 53 and 55' which are connected by a driving belt 57.

During engine operation, piston movement toward and away from the crankcase 35 causes the development of alternating high and low pressure'conditions in the crankcase. During movement of the piston '33 toward top dead center, air i-s drawn into the" crankcase through the 41. As the, volumetric displacement of the piston 33 is considerably greater. than the size of the cavity 21, con- 7 siderably more air is introduced into the chamber 4 1 during each engine cycle than issupplied from the chamber to the metering pump 13. can be mounted on the chamber 41 in communication with the interior thereof to prevent the'buildup of eX-, 1

cessive pressures;

If desired, a safety valve port 29 of the metering pump 13. Also communicating with the chamber 41, at

Various of the features of the invention are disclosed in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pump comprising a member, means definingia fixed path along which said memberis movable, an element having a surface in engagement with said member during movement of said member along said path, means in said element 1 defining a liquid supply port communicating with said surface and located along the path of 4 r cavity inlet is 'in'communication with said liquid discharge port, and means in'said element, defining a gas bleed port communicating withsaid surface and located along the path of travel of said passage portvin position for'comrnunication with said passage port when said cavity inlet is in communication with said liquid supply port. 3. 'An oil metering and pumping device comprising a housing having a' bore,a source of pressurized oil, an oil supply port communicating with said bore and with said source of pressurized oil, an oil discharge port communicating with said bore, said oil discharge port being coplanarwith and in angularly spaced relationto said oil supply port, a source of pressurized air, an air supply port communicating with said bore and With said source of pressurized air, said air supply port being located in spaced relation axially of said bore with respect to the plane of said oil supply and discharge ports, and.

a bleed hole communicating with said bore, said bleed 'hole being coplanar with said oil supply port and being,

angularly spaced from saida'ir supply port by an-iamount corresponding to the angular spacing between said' oil supply and discharge ports, a rotatable "member includ- 7 ing means defining a cavity'having an inlet at the surface of said member,'andimeansdefining a bleedpassage communicating with said cavity andhaving a port at the surface of said member, said bleed passage port being located'in spaced relation axially of said member from said cavity inlet at a distance corresponding to the axial spacing between the plane'of said air supply port and said bleedj' hole and the plane. of said. oil supply and a discharge ports, and in spaced angular relationfrom said cavity inlet at an angle corresponding tothe angular spacing between said oil supply and discharge ports, and means rotatably mounting said-member in said bore with said, cavity inlet in coplanar relation with said oil supply and discharge ports and withsaid bleed passage port movement of said cavity inlet, means in said element defining a liquid discharge port communicating with said and cooperating means in said member and in" said ele ment for venting said cavity to the 'atmospherelwhen said surface and located along theipathof movement of said 7 cavity is in communication with said liquid supply port and for introducing pressure gas into said cavity avhen'f said cavity is in communication with said liquid ClIS charge port, said cooperating means in said member cornprising a passage having a relatively sinaller cross sectional area normal to the direction of gas flow as com:

in coplanar relation; with said air bled hole.

v supply portrand said A A pump comprising a memberp means defining a fixed path along whichlsaid member is movable, an element having a surface in engagement with said member during movement of said member along said path, means for displacing said member for're-occurring travel along said path, meansin said member defining' a cavity having an inlet'communicating with said' surface, means in said member defining a passage communicating-with 'said cavity, said passagel having a ';port in facing relation to said surface andin spaced relation to said cavity j-inlet,'a sourceof pressurized liquid, means in said element defining a'liquid supply port communicating with said source of-pressurized liquid and with said surface andlocated along the pathi'of movement of said cavity the path of; movement ofrsaid cavity inlet in spaced relation toi saidliquid supply port,"a source of pressurized during movement of saidmernber along said path, means a for displacing said member for re-o ccurrmg travel along said path,means in said member defining a cavity ha ing an inlet communicating'with said surface, means tion toisaid surface and in spaced relation to said cavity,

inlet, means in'said element defining a liquid supply port in said member defining a passage communicating with said cavity, said passage having a relatively smaller cross s sectional area normal tothe length-of saidpassage as i communicating with'said surfaceandlocatedalong the f path-of movement ofsaid cavity inlet, means' ings aid element defining' a liquid discharge portcommunicating with said surface and located along the pathofinove merlt of said cavity inlet in spaced frel'ation' to said liq -cation with said liquid supply port:

gas, means in said element defining a gas supply .port, communicatingwith'said source of pressurized gas and fwith said surface and located along-the path of travel of said passage port; in position for communication with .said passage port'when'said cavity inlet i s in communication with 'saidliquid discharge port, and ,means in said element defining a gas'b1eed port communicating with said surface and located along the path of travel of said pas'sageport in poisitionfor communication with said passage port when saidcavity 'inlet is in communi- 5. A pump; compri g remember, means defining a 'fixedfpathalongwhich said member is movable, an element having a surface in engagement with said member during movement of'said member along said path, means fordisplacing said member ior're-occurriug travel along 7 'saidjpath, means in said member, defining arcavity havr- V i 4 mg an inlet {communicating with said surface, means in said member defining a passage communicating with said cavity, said passage having a port in facing reiation to said surface and in spaced relation to said cavity inlet, means in said element defining a liquid supply port communicating with said surface and located along the path of movement of said cavity inlet, means in said element defining a liquid discharge port communicating with said surface and located along the path of movement of said cavity inlet in spaced relation to said liquid supply port, means in said element defining a gas supply port communicating with said surface and located along the path of travel of said passage port in position for communication with said passage port when said cavity inlet is in communication with said liquid discharge port, means in said element defining a gas bleed port communicating with said surface and located along the path of travel of said passage port in position for communication with said passage port when said cavity inlet is in communication with said liquid supply port, a generally closed chamber including means for introducing therein a quantity of liquid, means communicating between said liquid supply port and the part of said chamber normally containing liquid, means communicating between said gas supply port and the part of said chamber normally clear of liquid, and means communicating with said means communicating between said supply port and the part of said chamber normally clear of liquid for supplying pressure gas to said chamber and to said gas supply port.

6. A pump comprising a member, means defining a fiXed path along which said member is movable, an ele ment having a surface in engagement with said member during movement of said member along said path, means for displacing said member for re-occurring travel along said path, means in said member defining a cavity having an inlet communicating with said surface, means in said member defining a passage communicating with said cavity, said passage having a port in facing relation to said surface and in spaced relation to said cavity inlet, means in said element defining a liquid supply port communicating with said surface and located along the path of movement of said cavity inlet, means in said element defining a liquid discharge port communicating with said surface and located along the path of movement of said cavity inlet in spaced relation to said liquid supply port, means in said element defining a gas supply port communicating with said surface and located along the path of travel of said passage port in position for communication with said passage port when said I cavity inlet is in communication With said liquid discharge port, means in said element defining a gas bleed port communicating with said surface and located along the path of travel of said passage port in position for communication with said passage port when said cavity inlet is in communication with said liquid supply port, a generally closed chamber including means for introducing therein a quantity of liquid, means communicating between said liquid supply port and the part of said chamber normally containing liquid, means communicating between said gas supply port and the part of said chamber normally clear of liquid, an engine having a generally closed crankcase, a piston movable relative to said crankcase to create therein alternate conditions of relatively greater and lesser pressure, means communicating with said crankcase and including a check valve for permitting infiow of gas into said crankcase during said condition of lesser pressure, and means communicating between said crankcase and the part of said chamber normally clear of liquid, said last mentioned means including a check valve permitting gas fiow from said crankcase to said chamber during said condition of greater pressure in said crankcase, whereby a source of pressure air is provided and said liquid is placed under pressure.

7. A pump comprising a member, means journalling said member for rotation, an element having a surface in engagement with said member during rotative member movement, means in said member defining a cavity having an inlet communicating with said surface, means in said member defining a passage communicating with said cavity, said passage having a port in facing relation to said surface and in spaced relation to said cavity inlet, means in said element defining a liquid supply port communicating with said surface and located along the path of movement of said cavity inlet, means in said element defining a liquid discharge port communicating with said surface and located along the path of movement of said cavity inlet in spaced relation to said liquid supply port, means in said element defining a gas supply port communicating with said surface and located along the path of travel of said passage port in position for communication with said passage port when said cavity inlet is in communication with said liquid discharge port, means in said element defining a gas bleed port communicating with said surface and located along the path of travel of said passage port in position for communication with said passage port when said cavity inlet is in communication with said liquid supply port, a generally closed chamber including means for introducing therein a quantity of liquid, means communicating between said liquid supply port and the part of said chamber normally containing liquid, means communicating between said gas supply port and the part of said chamber normally clear of liquid, an engine having a crankshaft rotatively drivingly connected to said member, a generally closed crankcase, a piston connected to said crankshaft and movable relative to said crankcase to create therein alternate conditions of relatively greater and lesser pressure, means communicating with said crankcase and including a check valve for permitting inflow of gas into said crankcase during said condition of lesser pressure, and means communicating between said crankcase and the part of said chamber normally clear of liquid, said last mentioned means including a check valve permitting gas flow from said crankcase to said chamber during said condition of greater pressure in said crankcase, whereby a source of pressure air is provided and said liquid is placed under pressure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/73 Faucett 103-240 X 1/61 Jendrassik 230-69 

1. A PUMP COMPRISING A MEMBER, MEANS DEFINING A FIXED PATH ALONG WHICH SAID MEMBER IS MOVABLE, AN ELEMENT HAVING A SURFACE IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID MEMBER DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBER ALONG SAID PATH, MEANS FOR DISPLACING SAID MEMBER FOR RE-OCCURRING TRAVEL ALONG SAID PATH, MEANS IN SAID MEMBER DEFINING A CAVITY HAVING AN INLET COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SURFACE, MEANS IN SAID ELEMENT DEFINING A LIQUID SUPPLY PORT COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SURFACE AND LOCATED ALONG THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID CAVITY INLET, MEANS IN SAID ELEMENT DEFINING A LIQUID DISCHARGE PORT COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SURFACE AND LOCATED ALONG THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID CAVITY INLET IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID FLUID SUPPLY PORT, 